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*batteries not included

  • 1987
  • PG
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
39K
YOUR RATING
Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
Apartment block tenants seek the aid of alien mechanical life-forms to save their building from demolition.
Play trailer1:18
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyFamilyFantasySci-Fi

Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.

  • Director
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Writers
    • Mick Garris
    • Brad Bird
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Stars
    • Hume Cronyn
    • Jessica Tandy
    • Frank McRae
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    39K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Mick Garris
      • Brad Bird
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Stars
      • Hume Cronyn
      • Jessica Tandy
      • Frank McRae
    • 104User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:18
    Official Trailer

    Photos123

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    Hume Cronyn
    Hume Cronyn
    • Frank Riley
    Jessica Tandy
    Jessica Tandy
    • Faye Riley
    Frank McRae
    Frank McRae
    • Harry Noble
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Marisa Esteval
    Michael Carmine
    Michael Carmine
    • Carlos
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Mason Baylor
    Tom Aldredge
    Tom Aldredge
    • Sid Hogenson
    Jane Hoffman
    • Muriel Hogenson
    John DiSanti
    John DiSanti
    • Gus
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Kovacs
    MacIntyre Dixon
    MacIntyre Dixon
    • DeWitt
    Michael Greene
    Michael Greene
    • Lacey
    Doris Belack
    Doris Belack
    • Mrs. Thompson
    Wendy Schaal
    Wendy Schaal
    • Pamela
    José Angel Santana
    • Goon #1
    • (as José Santana)
    James Le Gros
    James Le Gros
    • Goon #2
    • (as James LeGros)
    Ronald L. Schwary
    Ronald L. Schwary
    • Louie
    • (as Ronald Schwary)
    Susan Shoffner
    • Receptionist
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Mick Garris
      • Brad Bird
      • Matthew Robbins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews104

    6.638.9K
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    Featured reviews

    AshokePrabha

    when you are desperate you always wish for..

    There is always hope when people are in desperate need of help. Either it may come from the heaven or may not be. But the film is not just with the hope. Its beauty is with characters it has. The mad woman and her husband, the pregnant girl left by the boyfriend, the artist left by the girl friend and a rowdy who is an orphan and longing for somebody who can say "bobbie my little boy". I like it very much. I loved the movie when I was a school going boy ten years ago. I like it the same way now too.
    steviecrowther

    F.A.B!

    A true classic. This was the first film I ever saw, and it has stayed my favorite for almost 17 years! Obviously, some may hate it, and some may love it, but its one of those films you have to judge for yourself. OK, so, perhaps the storyline is a bit thin, predictable and slightly unbelievable, but, what film isn't? There are more good points than bad (I'm not giving the good ones away, you'll have to see them for yourselves!) It could do with a bit of updating, maybe a newer version could cover up plot holes and dodgy script, but then it would lose all its charm. And Batteries Not Included definitely has charm, bucket-loads!

    In my opinion it should be up there with Star Wars and E.T as a cult classic. It'll make you laugh, cry and hate the bad guy.

    I definitely recommend it! Go watch it!
    7chvylvr80

    This movie is for the whole family to enjoy

    I like this movie a lot. Without getting too corny, I would even go out on a limb and say that it's a bit magical. It's a feel good movie that doesn't get too sentimental or campy. The cast does a average job with their average roles. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn do a good job as the feisty tenants that wouldn't move out. The DVD release of this movie really doesn't have any extras so if you can score it cheap on video then I suggest you do so. That's what I did anyway. Spielberg proves once again that he is the master of the family movie. Interesting and heartwarming for the adults, special effects and fun for the kids. Bottom Line: This movie isn't really looked upon as a classic or anything but it's good to have on the shelf to watch every once and awhile.
    Lee B

    Good, escapist fun

    This is a fun movie if you're not looking for heavy philosophy and just want some bubblegum for the eyes. Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are brilliant - he as the husband who's watching his wife's mind deteriorate, she as the "living in the past" wife. My favourite part is when Carlos walks into the hut on top of the building. The expression on his face when he comes out is priceless.
    7dasdrifter

    A delightful, nostalgic trip..

    Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn stole the show, as is expected. However, the film is a very fun and nostalgic trip, the remaining cast getting the job done well. While it could use some development, the ideas present and the general whim about the film allow it to stand amongst other contemporary classics.

    Naturally, the film also sports great production values, with Spielberg, Kennedy, and Marshall at it once again. Go see it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally intended to be a story featured in the TV series Amazing Stories (1985). Steven Spielberg liked the idea so much he decided to make it a theatrical release.
    • Goofs
      After Mason fights with his girlfriend, he throws his paintings out his window, which Marisa notices when she sees the paintings falling from his apartment about two floors above. When Mason and Marisa discover their items(Mason's door; Marisa's statue)fixed, Marisa comes out of her room, which is on the same floor as Mason's, which makes it impossible for Marisa to be about two floors down from Mason. One explanation is simple; Mason has a two story apartment. The next morning when Mason wakes up and sees the garbage truck leaving and his paintings gone, he runs down a flight of stairs and then out of his door. However, when Marisa comes out of her apartment, her door is on the opposite side of the building. So how Marisa saw them fall is still up in the air.
    • Quotes

      Frank Riley: The quickest way to end a miracle is to ask it why it is... or what it wants.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, pictures of young Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are shown. This includes their actual wedding photo, since the actors (who often play a married couple on stage or in the movies) were married for decades.
    • Alternate versions
      When aired on national syndication as a "Universal Network" presentation in 1991, the following brief scenes were omitted for time:
      • When Frank attempts to give Faye her medicine.
      • Before Frank asks for somebody to help them, he breaks a vase and kicks a chair.
      • Carlos and his gang planning.
      • Frank and Faye are reading the newspaper and while one of the spaceships pours them coffee, Faye asks what ever happened to General Eisenhower.
      • Harry searches his room for his whistle.
      • While Marissa, Hector and his friends hold a fiesta in the apartment, Mason sits outside and drinks.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Moonstruck/Overboard/September/*Batteries Not Included/Ironweed (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee
      (uncredited)

      Written by Irving Berlin

      Performed by Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn

    Top picks

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    FAQ22

    • How long is *batteries not included?Powered by Alexa
    • Where did the dog come from? It seems to suddenly appear with the group while they're out searching the streets. Are we to assume it was attracted by Harry's dog whistle and decided to stay with him?
    • What is Batteries Not Included about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Milagro en la calle 8
    • Filming locations
      • East Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,945,797
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,326,530
      • Dec 20, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $65,088,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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